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‘I’ve got an NP for that’: Patients share their experiences of NP care
October 22, 2025
“If I didn’t have a Nurse Practitioner to take care of me, I wouldn’t have anyone.”
For thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, that sentiment rings true. As the province faces an ongoing shortage of primary care providers, Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are proving why they should be considered as part of the solution. They’re helping improve access to healthcare across the province.
Mary Beresford, Nurse Practitioner
Since July 2025, we’ve been raising awareness about the role, value and impact of NPs through our ‘There’s an NP for that’ campaign. We’ve highlighted the critical primary and specialized care they provide in urban, rural and remote communities. We asked the public to write to their Member of House of Assembly (MHA) to call for policies that support their role, and shared brochures about their scope of practice at the St. John’s Regatta to bolster NP recognition, inform the public, and influence decision-makers.
Now, we’re hearing directly from patients themselves. Through ‘I’ve got an NP for that,’ we see firsthand how NPs help patients feel heard and supported, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Their stories reflect what we’ve known all along: NPs are essential to the functioning of any healthcare system.
“I had seen an NP with concerns about my son. I had been seeing a GP and felt like I wasn’t being seen or heard. After speaking with the NP and voicing my concerns, they were careful not to overstep my GP but provided opinions and options to discuss. When I pushed for what the NP had suggested with my GP, I finally received answers. The NP was correct, and my exact thoughts and concerns for my child were correct as well. The NP finally addressed a diagnosis that had been left untreated for too long. I feel NPs are very important part of our healthcare system. Many do not realize the critical role NPs play or how valuable they are. Without the help of an NP, my child would not be where they are today, with better hearing, vision, and correction of their foot disorder.”
— Patient from Flatrock, NL.
“I had an NP at a collaborative clinic as my primary provider for a few years. I had nothing but positive visits with her. She was through and validating. I felt heard and well cared for under the guidance of an NP. They followed up with all my needs thoroughly and in a timely manner.”
— Patient from Paradise, NL
These stories are a start to conversations we need to have about the compassionate, comprehensive, and effective care that NPs provide. But talk alone is not enough. We need action—to have access to more NPs, more NP-led clinics, and more funding and resources to allow NPs to work to their full scope.
RNUNL continues to advocate for this change. Every story shared strengthens public recognition and reminds us why NPs are essential to the future of healthcare in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Read more patient experiences and learn how you can get involved in the campaign in our latest blog.